Fish size vs pellet size

[Ruturaj]

I have 3 different size of pellets right now,

NLS AlgeMax 2 mm
NLS UltraRed 3 mm
Northfin Krill pro 6 mm (had ordered 4 mm but got 6 mm by mistake)

for my flowerhorn who is 5-6 inches. Whenever I feed my fish he miss some small pellets, a lot of 2 mm than 3 mm, none of 6 mm. Previously when my tank was bare bottom he would find and eat them, since I added the sand I think he can't find them anymore. The sand is similar colored and grain size (1-2 mm). To me it seems like, he used to have trouble (food coming out of gills) eating 6 mm pellets when he was small (3-4 inch) but not anymore.

I am looking to get AlgaeMax right now, and I am not sure if should get 3 mm or 7 mm (only these sizes are available). Any take on maximum pellet size.

I talked about this with RD., at that time I thought smaller pellets were not a good idea as fish won't reach satiation but RD indicated that it's not an issue. We didn't talk about max size but the article he shared said that 25%-50% of mouth width is good. What's your take? Will 7 mm be to big?

 

[ad88]

I have a 5 inch Blood Parrot that I feed 3 mm NLS one pellet at a time he needs several stabs at it to get some but he will get 10 in his mouth before he starts losing them out of his mouth so I stop at 10.

 

[Ruturaj]

I have a 5 inch Blood Parrot that I feed 3 mm NLS one pellet at a time he needs several stabs at it to get some but he will get 10 in his mouth before he starts losing them out of his mouth so I stop at 10.

That's a lot he puts in his mouth. I am read somewhere today that it's better if fish swallow the whole pellet and let it dissolve in stomach than them chewing.

 

[ad88]

That's a lot he puts in his mouth. I am read somewhere today that it's better if fish swallow the whole pellet and let it dissolve in stomach than them chewing.

I don't know what is best but he does chew because little pieces will come out his gills.

 

[Ruturaj]

I don't know what is best but he does chew because little pieces will come out his gills.

I think while fish is doing that, food looses some water soluble nutrients.

 

[Blakewater]

I feed my 8” cichla and payara 8mm pellets lol I’d go as big as they can go

 

[FINWIN]

I usually just watch the eating habits of each fish and see what pellet size suits them best. I have to have a variety of sizes...the Oscar can pretty much eat any size including wafers, my chocolate 6mm. My blue acara has a surprisingly big mouth but not the belly to back it up, so I stick with 3mm. I have four parrots...the one with the smallest mouth eats 3mm. Anything bigger I'd have to break. The other parrots gulp 5mm whole like a vaccum cleaner, their mouths are a lot bigger. They're all between 6-7+ inches. My rainbow is good with 2-3 mm pellets.

The synos can eat up to 5mm as well.

 

[Ruturaj]

I usually just watch the eating habits of each fish and see what pellet size suits them best. I have to have a variety of sizes...the Oscar can pretty much eat any size including wafers, my chocolate 6mm. My blue acara has a surprisingly big mouth but not the belly to back it up, so I stick with 3mm. I have four parrots...the one with the smallest mouth eats 3mm. Anything bigger I'd have to break. The other parrots gulp 5mm whole like a vaccum cleaner, their mouths are a lot bigger. They're all between 6-7+ inches. My rainbow is good with 2-3 mm pellets.

The synos can eat up to 5mm as well.

Thanks for the input. I think 7mm would be too big for him. Will get 3mm smaller package for now.

 

[DwarfCichlidLvr]

Hve you considered getting any tankmates for him. Like maybe a catfish that'll eat up the un eaten food. (what's his name again?)